Eric List named to top position

Pocahontas chooses former economic leader

March 6, 2014

POCAHONTAS - An economic development official has been named the new city administrator of Pocahontas.

Eric List was recently appointed to that post by the City Council after serving for three and a half years as both the city's economic development director and executive director of the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce.

"I think the city was in a pretty positive trajectory prior to me coming here," List said. "I'm excited to see what the challenges are and keep working for the city. I think there's really some positive things happening here."

He replaces Robert Donahoo, who resigned in January to operate the family farm in Buena Vista County.

List's starting salary is $55,000, according to Mayor Richard Gruber.

Gruber said List's experience with the city made him the best candidate for the job. The mayor said his previous position gave List "a pretty good leg up on the operations of city hall."

The new city administrator said he wants to continue working to revitalize Main Street.

"I think we've had a lot of progressive action there," he said.

He added that he wants to continue efficient municipal utility operations and to foster the construction of new houses.

He said he's not planning any major changes in city operations.

List graduated from Spalding Catholic High School in Granville. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn.

He started his career in the banking and credit industry in Omaha, Neb., before coming to Pocahontas.

A decision on what to do with List's former position hasn't been made. Gruber said he would like to hire someone for that job.

"We've found in the past that this is a very important position for us," he said.